I didn’t make it to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad this year. (You can see photos from two years ago here and here.) But I found some beautiful pink Ranunculus at Trader Joe’s, of all places. I was never a huge fan of this flower, but I’ve gotten to love them. They’re so photogenic, no matter the light or the angle….
The Ranunculus is in the same genus as buttercups.
The name Ranunculus is Late Latin for “little frog.”
Hard to believe these flowers are poisonous. Be careful when handling.
Ranunculus is also used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatism and fever.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
I’ve always called them the poor man’s peony, and love them.
I’m not sure I ever saw them before moving to California, Susan, but they definitely remind me of peonies!
Gorgeous photos, Carole! I didn’t know they were poisonous. Are you able to touch the leaves?
Thanks, Jackie. I didn’t know it either! I was able to handle them with no problem, but I just touched the stems when I put them in water. Eating the flowers is supposed to make you really sick.
Lovely photos. They really are photogenic.
I had no idea they wre poisonous.
I knew about other poisonous flowers like oleander and Lenten roses, but not this one. I’m now wondering if they’ve bred them to be less toxic.
Such gentle flowers, awesome photos!
Thanks so much!